Because the definition of dramatic play is so broad, we have to look at the many ways your child will participate in this experience.
Have you ever noticed your child engaged in a dramatic play experience? This is interesting to watch because you realize just how much listening your child has been doing, e.g. when speaking to her dolls she uses many of the words you use. Or perhaps she uses her transportation toys to act out a construction scene you saw while on a walk in the neighborhood.
Have you ever made the comment to someone, “All my child wants to do is play all day?” Many people have devalued the importance of dramatic play/pretend play because they think that pretending or using symbols that stand in for that which is real is not important for school readiness.
Dramatic play intertwines with all areas of your child’s development, including.
Language and literacy build your child’s oral skills, which are developing as she has conversations, negotiates, and takes on roles during dramatic play. You can see this as she uses vocal changes with puppetry or makes signs on poster board for her backyard construction site. Parents can support their children in language development through dramatic play by reading aloud stories and providing animation in their voices when using puppets.
Dramatic play builds science skills. Turning off all the lights in your house and making hand-shadow puppets with your child involves science and dramatic play because he is engaged in experimenting with light and shadow while he is role-playing. Using technologies such as a projector or camera to make a family movie on the computer with your child also combines dramatic play and science. Have fun with the tools at hand.
